by our College Data Analytics Team
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value systems engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is United States Merchant Marine Academy, our #1 best value for systems engineering in the United States. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $895. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,250. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $85,698 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $10,243 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for systems engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $81,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Kennesaw State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $62,015. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $68,034 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #7 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $76,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #8 among the best values for systems engineering. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $84,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $91,178. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $83,874. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy landed the #11 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $27,000. Systems Engineering graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of $91,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
George Washington University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $119,258. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Systems Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Systems Engineering Rankings >This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.